Internet of Things (IoT) connected building systems and their use in fire investigations: A mixed method study

In 2009 the National Academy of Sciences produced a paper entitled Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. The purpose was to identify significant improvements needed in forensic science. The paper provided recommendations involving policy initiatives that should be adopted by various forensic science disciplines to increase their effectiveness. One of the fields included was fire investigation. Experts, such as Professor Jonathan Koehler from Northwestern University, have inferred that forensic science fields relying heavily on subjective interpretation of data tend to be the most problematic.John Lentini and John DeHaan, recognized fire investigation experts, have stated that the accurate interpretation of fire effects and fire patterns can lead an investigator to the proper area of origin within a fire scene. However, the accurate interpretation of these patterns can be challenging. The correct interpretation of these patterns is dependent upon numerous variables, including the knowledge, training, and experience of the investigator as well as the investigator's understanding of scientific theory related to such topics as fire science, fire chemistry, thermodynamics, and fire dynamics. Occasionally fire investigators can misinterpret observed patterns. This can result in misidentifying the area of origin.The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated computing devices; these can be both mechanical and digital machines embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet. Several building systems potentially fall into the category of IoT due to how they typically function such as fire sprinklers, fire and smoke detection systems, and security systems. As a result, data from the IoT involving these systems can be extracted, analyzed, and subsequently employed by fire investigators to narrow down the area of fire origin within complex fire scenes.This study focuses on the utilization of IoT data to make fire investigations more empirical by decreasing the necessity for substantial reliance on the subjective interpretation of fire patterns. The creation of hard data points in the determination of an area of origin will successfully address the issues enumerated by Lentini, DeHaan, Koehler, and the National Academy of Sciences

Hyb-Seq for flowering plant systematics

High-throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) presents great opportunities for plant systematics, yet genomic complexity needs to be reduced for HTS to be effectively applied. We highlight Hyb-Seq as a promising approach, especially in light of the recent development of probes enriching 353 low-copy nuclear genes from any flowering plant taxon

Mirrored one-nucleon knockout reactions to the T-z = +/- 3/2 A=53 mirror nuclei

Background: The study of excited states in mirror nuclei allows us to extract information on charge-dependent (i.e., isospin-nonconserving) interactions in nuclei. Purpose: To extend previous studies of mirror nuclei in the f72 region, investigating charge symmetry breaking of the strong nuclear force. Methods: γ-ray spectroscopy has been performed for the mirror (Tz=±32) pair Ni53 and Mn53, produced via mirrored one-nucleon knockout reactions. Results: Several new transitions have been identified in Ni53 from which a new level scheme has been constructed. Cross sections for knockout have been analyzed and compared with reaction model calculations where evidence is found for knockout from high-spin isomeric states. Mirror energy differences between isobaric analog states have been computed, compared to large scale shell-model calculations, and interpreted in terms of isospin-nonconserving effects. In addition, lifetimes for the long-lived Jπ=52−1 analog states in both Mn53 and Ni53 have been extracted through lineshape analysis, giving half-lives of t12=120(14) ps and t12=198(12) ps, respectively. Conclusions: The inclusion of a set of isovector isospin-nonconserving matrix elements to the shell-model calculations gave the best agreement with the experimental data

Genome-wide repeat dynamics reflect phylogenetic distance in closely related allotetraploid Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

Nicotiana sect. Repandae is a group of four allotetraploid species originating from a single allopolyploidisation event approximately 5 million years ago. Previous phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis of N. nudicaulis as sister to the other three species. This is concordant with changes in genome size, separating those with genome downsizing (N. nudicaulis) from those with genome upsizing (N. repanda, N. nesophila, N. stocktonii). However, a recent analysis reflecting genome dynamics of different transposable element families reconstructed greater similarity between N. nudicaulis and the Revillagigedo Island taxa (N. nesophila and N. stocktonii), thereby placing N. repanda as sister to the rest of the group. This could reflect a different phylogenetic hypothesis or the unique evolutionary history of these particular elements. Here we re-examine relationships in this group and investigate genome-wide patterns in repetitive DNA, utilising high-throughput sequencing and a genome skimming approach. Repetitive DNA clusters provide support for N. nudicaulis as sister to the rest of the section, with N. repanda sister to the two Revillagigedo Island species. Clade-specific patterns in the occurrence and abundance of particular repeats confirm the original (N. nudicaulis (N. repanda (N. nesophila ? N. stocktonii))) hypothesis. Furthermore, overall repeat dynamics in the island species N. nesophila and N. stocktonii confirm their similarity to N. repanda and the distinctive patterns between these three species and N. nudicaulis. Together these results suggest that broad-scale repeat dynamics do in fact reflect evolutionary history and could be predicted based on phylogenetic distance

The effect of polyploidy and hybridization on the evolution of floral colour in Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

Background and Aims: We investigate whether changes in floral colour accompany polyploid and homoploid hybridisation, important processes in angiosperm evolution. Potentially, changes in floral colour can facilitate speciation through pollinator shifts. Methods: We examined spectral reflectance of corolla tissue from 60 Nicotiana (Solanaceae) accessions (41 taxa) based on spectral shape (corresponding to pigmentation) as well as bee and hummingbird colour perception to assess patterns of floral colour evolution. We compared polyploid and homoploid hybrid spectra to those of their progenitors to evaluate whether hybridisation has resulted in floral colour shifts. Key Results: Floral colour categories in Nicotiana seem to have arisen multiple times independently during the evolution of the genus. Polyploid and homoploid hybrids can display a floral colour: 1) intermediate between progenitors, 2) like one or other progenitor, or 3) a transgressive or divergent colour not present in either progenitor. Conclusions: Floral colour evolution in Nicotiana is weakly constrained by phylogeny, but colour shifts occur and are sometimes associated with allopolyploid or homoploid speciation. Transgressive floral colour in N. tabacum has arisen by inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation from its paternal progenitor while having a plastid phenotype like its maternal progenitor. Potentially, floral colour evolution has been driven by, or resulted in, pollinator shifts

Phylogenomic Discordance Suggests Polytomies Along the Backbone of the Large Genus Solanum

Premise of the study Evolutionary studies require solid phylogenetic frameworks, but increased volumes of phylogenomic data have revealed incongruent topologies among gene trees in many organisms both between and within genomes. Some of these incongruences indicate polytomies that may remain impossible to resolve. Here we investigate the degree of gene-tree discordance in Solanum, one of the largest flowering plant genera that includes the cultivated potato, tomato, and eggplant, as well as 24 minor crop plants. Methods A densely sampled species-level phylogeny of Solanum is built using unpublished and publicly available Sanger sequences comprising 60% of all accepted species (742 spp.) and nine regions (ITS, waxy, and seven plastid markers). The robustness of this topology is tested by examining a full plastome dataset with 140 species and a nuclear target-capture dataset with 39 species of Solanum (Angiosperms353 probe set). Key results While the taxonomic framework of Solanum remained stable, gene tree conflicts and discordance between phylogenetic trees generated from the target-capture and plastome datasets were observed. The latter correspond to regions with short internodal branches, and network analysis and polytomy tests suggest the backbone is composed of three polytomies found at different evolutionary depths. The strongest area of discordance, near the crown node of Solanum, could potentially represent a hard polytomy. Conclusions We argue that incomplete lineage sorting due to rapid diversification is the most likely cause for these polytomies, and that embracing the uncertainty that underlies them is crucial to understand the evolution of large and rapidly radiating lineages

The climatic challenge: which plants will people use in the next century?

More than 31,000 useful plant species have been documented to fulfil needs and services for humans or the animals and environment we depend on. Despite this diversity, humans currently satisfy most requirements with surprisingly few plant species; for example, just three crops – rice, wheat and maize – comprise more than 50% of plant derived calories. Here, we synthesize the projected impact of global climatic change on useful plants across the spectrum of plant domestication. We illustrate the demographic, spatial, ecophysiological, chemical, functional, evolutionary and cultural traits that are likely to characterise useful plants and their resilience in the next century. Using this framework, we consider a range of possible pathways for future human use of plants. These are centred on two trade-offs: i) diversification versus specialization in the range of species we utilize, and ii) substitutionof the species towards those better suited to future climate versus facilitating adaptation in our existing suite of dominant useful plants. In the coming century, major challenges to agriculture and biodiversity will be dominated by increased climatic variation, shifting species ranges, disruption to biotic interactions, nutrient limitation and emerging pests and pathogens. These challenges must be mitigated, whilst enhancing sustainable production to meet the needs of a growing population and a more resource intensive standard of living. With the continued erosion of biodiversity, our future ability to choose among these pathways and trade-offs is likely to be diminished

Time-calibrated phylogenetic trees establish a lag between polyploidisation and diversification in Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

We investigate the timing of diversification in allopolyploids of Nicotiana (Solanaceae) utilising sequence data of maternal and paternal origin to look for evidence of a lag phase during which diploidisation took place. Bayesian relaxed clock phylogenetic methods show recent allopolyploids are a result of several unique polyploidisation events, and older allopolyploid sections have undergone subsequent speciation at the polyploid level (i.e. a number of these polyploid species share a singular origin). The independently formed recent polyploid species in the genus all have mean age estimates below 1 million years ago (Ma). Nicotiana  section Polydicliae (two species) evolved 1.5 Ma, N. section Repandae (four species) formed 4 Ma, and N. section Suaveolentes (*35 species) is about 6 million years old. A general trend of higher speciation rates in older polyploids is evident, but diversification dramatically increases at approximately 6 Ma (in section Suaveolentes). Nicotiana sect. Suaveolentes has spectacularly radiated to form 35 species in Australia and some Pacific islands following a lag phase of almost 6 million years. Species have filled new ecological niches and undergone extensive diploidisation (e.g. chromosome fusions bringing the ancestral allotetraploid number, n = 24, down to n = 15 and ribosomal loci numbers back to diploid condition). Considering the progenitors of Suaveolentes inhabit South America, this represents the colonisation of Australia by polyploids that have subsequently undergone a recent radiation into new environments. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of a substantial lag phase being investigated below the family level

Mirrored one-nucleon knockout reactions to the Tz=± 32 A=53 mirror nuclei

Background: The study of excited states in mirror nuclei allows us to extract information on charge-dependent (i.e., isospin-nonconserving) interactions in nuclei. Purpose: To extend previous studies of mirror nuclei in the f72 region, investigating charge symmetry breaking of the strong nuclear force. Methods: γ-ray spectroscopy has been performed for the mirror (Tz=±32) pair Ni53 and Mn53, produced via mirrored one-nucleon knockout reactions. Results: Several new transitions have been identified in Ni53 from which a new level scheme has been constructed. Cross sections for knockout have been analyzed and compared with reaction model calculations where evidence is found for knockout from high-spin isomeric states. Mirror energy differences between isobaric analog states have been computed, compared to large scale shell-model calculations, and interpreted in terms of isospin-nonconserving effects. In addition, lifetimes for the long-lived Jπ=521- analog states in both Mn53 and Ni53 have been extracted through lineshape analysis, giving half-lives of t12=120(14) ps and t12=198(12) ps, respectively. Conclusions: The inclusion of a set of isovector isospin-nonconserving matrix elements to the shell-model calculations gave the best agreement with the experimental data